METHOD AND DEVICE FOR REMOTE MONITORING OF PLANTS, IN PARTICULAR PLANTS IN THE BEVERAGE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and a device for the remote monitoring of plants and in particular plants for the production of beverages. It has long been known from the prior art that plants are monitored remotely, for example by the machine manufacturer, in order to be able to react quickly to errors and to give the customer instructions as precisely and quickly as possible. It is known that machine data is read out and evaluated by an employee of the manufacturer via a data connection, for example an internet connection. However, the effort required to evaluate each individual machine is relatively high and cumbersome. In addition, all machine-relevant data is generally read out and passed on to the manufacturer. This is also sometimes not desired by the operators of the respective plants.For example, it is conceivable that plant operators do not wish to have data released that would allow conclusions to be drawn about output performance or recipe.

[0002] PATRIK SPIESS ET AL: "SOA-Based Integration of the Internet of Things in Enterprise Services", WEB SERVICES, 2009. ICWS 2009. IEEE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON, IEEE, PISCATAWAY, NJ, USA, July 6, 2009 (2009-07-06), pages 968–975, XP031497913, ISBN: 978-0-7695-3709-2 proposes an architecture for effective integration of the Internet of Things into enterprise services. This "Internet of Things" infrastructure will be highly integrated into the environment, and its integration into enterprise systems will not only further blur the boundary between enterprise IT systems and the real world, but will also change the way enterprises design, deploy, and consume services. New opportunities arise for enterprises that can now closely interact with the real world.

[0003] The present invention therefore aims to reduce the effort required for such remote monitoring. It also aims to better accommodate the security and confidentiality needs of different customers.

[0004] These objects are achieved according to the invention by a method and a device according to the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0005] In a method according to the invention for remote monitoring of a manufacturing plant, in particular a packaging plant and in particular a plant in the beverage manufacturing industry, the plant has a plurality of work units and a data collection device to which these work units are at least partially and / or at least temporarily connected for data transmission. The data collection device collects data relevant to the work units. Furthermore, a data transmission device is provided, which transmits data from the data collection device to a data acquisition device.

[0006] According to the invention, different portions of this data are transmitted to different recipients, and a user can at least partially determine which data is transmitted to which recipient. While in the prior art all data was transmitted to the same recipient, for example the machine manufacturer, the invention proposes that a certain portion of the data is transmitted to a first recipient, for example a user or operator of the system, or a corresponding receiving device in the area of the user of the system, and another portion of the data is transmitted to a second recipient, for example a manufacturer of the system or a corresponding receiving device in the area of the machine manufacturer. It would also be possible for a certain portion of data to be transmitted to both the operator of the system and the manufacturer.Preferably, these different proportions can be determined by a user of the system.

[0007] This can be completely free to determine, but it can also be stipulated that the machine user can only determine to whom a certain portion of the data should be transmitted. For example, it can be stipulated that a certain portion of the data is always transmitted to the machine manufacturer. The user is, in particular, a user of the system or the machine operator. However, it would also be possible for the determination to be made by the manufacturer or a third party.

[0008] The data acquisition device can be provided at different locations. For example, it is possible for the data acquisition device to be located at the machine manufacturer's site. In this case, the data is preferably transmitted wirelessly from the data collection device to the data acquisition device. In this case, the data transmission device is a remote data transmission device. However, it is also conceivable for the data acquisition device to be located at the location of the machine to be operated, i.e., in particular, within the sphere of the machine operator. In this case, the data cannot be transmitted wirelessly from the data collection device to the data acquisition device. In this case, it would also be possible for the data collection device and the data acquisition device to be designed as a structural unit.In the simplest case, the data transmission device could be designed as an interface between the data collection device and the data acquisition device.

[0009] The data acquisition device could also be located at another location, such as the location of a central server from which multiple systems can be monitored. The data acquisition device could also be designed as a central data acquisition device that collects data from a large number of systems and / or system components.

[0010] The decision regarding the location of this data acquisition device may depend on who ultimately makes the decision about which data is processed and how. If this decision is to be made by the machine operator, the data acquisition device will preferably be located at the location of the machine being operated. If, for example, the machine manufacturer is to be able to make this decision, the data acquisition device can preferably be located at their location.

[0011] The data transmission device and / or the data collection device could preferably also be configured as a data selector device and / or comprise such a data selector device, i.e., a device that not only serves to transmit data, but also selects the data to be transmitted. It would also be possible to provide such data selector devices at multiple locations, allowing such data selections to be made at multiple points. A comparison could be made between the entered data. If these specifications match, they could be adopted; if the specifications do not match, automated suggestions for handling the data could be made.

[0012] Preferably, the data is transmitted to at least two different recipients, preferably to exactly two different recipients. In another preferred method, it is also possible for the data to be transmitted to the two different recipients at different times.

[0013] The user can therefore preferably define rules that determine which data is transmitted to which recipient.

[0014] This data can be, for example, raw data, such as measured data, but also data derived from this data, such as values calculated from this data. It is therefore possible for the data collection facility to collect raw data and derive further data from this data, and for this derived data to be forwarded to the respective recipients.

[0015] Preferably, at least one property and in particular a type and / or a scope of the data to be transmitted can be determined—particularly by a user of the data collection device and / or the data acquisition device. For this purpose, a data selector input device can be provided, for example, via which the user can enter the type and scope of data to be transmitted.

[0016] The data can, for example, be raw data recorded directly by corresponding sensors, such as data characteristic of vibrations. It can also be data from continuous condition monitoring.

[0017] In addition, it is possible that (for example by the data collection device) an extraction of recorded data is already carried out, for example a statement is made about their relevance for machine operation (low, medium, high).

[0018] The invention therefore proposes that not all data is transmitted—as is usual in the prior art—but rather that users can preselect which data should actually be transmitted and, in particular, to which recipient which data should be transmitted. In this way, on the one hand, the effort required to monitor the machine can be kept to a minimum, and on the other hand, the security or confidentiality interests of the system user can be taken into account. Preferably, one receiver is located in one (particularly geographical) area of the system to be monitored, and the other receiver is located away from it.

[0019] Furthermore, it would also be possible for certain data to be filtered from a data set and for the data remaining after the filter to be transmitted to one of the two recipients and the filtered data to be transmitted to the other of the two recipients.

[0020] The work units or machines are thus preferably located in an internal network and are connected (preferably locally) to a data collection device, hereinafter also referred to as a "connect box." Therefore, a data communication connection preferably exists at least temporarily, and preferably only temporarily, between the data collection device and the data acquisition device.

[0021] This data collection device or connect box retrieves the machine data in the (internal) network – preferably at a specific time interval – and evaluates it. Depending on the evaluation results, different responses can be made. For example, the data can be forwarded to a central unit (especially the data acquisition device), saved (especially locally), or the machine operator or customer can be informed about it on-site. A central unit can contain data from multiple connect boxes (or data collection devices). This central unit – also referred to above as the data acquisition device – can, in turn, decide how this data is to be handled, and this data can then be transmitted, for example, to a machine manufacturer.

[0022] In a preferred method, it is also possible for locally stored data to be retrieved at a different time. Preferably, the data collection device can be operated under different operating conditions. For example, the user can specify how the data collection device handles certain data.

[0023] Furthermore, it is also possible for the data collection device to communicate with different controllers and thus collect data from different control devices.

[0024] In a further advantageous method, backups are created at least temporarily. Data such as machine parameters, in particular those used for ongoing operation, can be stored in these backup copies. In addition, data characteristic of malfunctions in machine operation or data relating to the product to be treated can be collected within the scope of this backup. For this purpose, the system can, for example, have a storage device suitable and intended for storing this data. Such a backup can preferably be created at predetermined intervals and in particular at regular intervals. Such backups can also record which changes to parameters were made by which machine user or operator. Furthermore, logs of machine operation can also be created.

[0025] This ensures that at least some of the data is evaluated automatically. It is possible to forward only information particularly relevant to the operation of the machine to the machine manufacturer. Furthermore, it is also possible to access all data as needed.

[0026] According to the invention, the data are classified or grouped according to their relevance or importance for the operation of the machine, so that the classification takes into account a malfunction that can be expected with regard to this data and thus data that indicate a serious or imminent failure of the system are assigned to a different group than data that indicate, for example, advanced wear of a certain machine element or contamination of the machine element.

[0027] The working units are preferably working units which treat a specific product, such as a container, in successive steps, for example a forming device which forms plastic bottles from plastic preforms, a filling device which fills these bottles with a liquid and finally a labelling device which provides the filled bottles with labels.

[0028] Preferably, the individual system components or work units each have controls. In addition, a central control device is preferably provided, which also controls all work units in relation to one another.

[0029] In another preferred method, the data are collected repeatedly or at predetermined times and / or time windows.

[0030] In another preferred method, the data collection device communicates only partially and / or only temporarily with the data acquisition device, or only forwards some data. In this method, the decision as to which data will be forwarded to the data acquisition device is already made within the data collection device. However, it would also be possible for all data to be transferred from the data collection device to the data acquisition device, which then decides how to proceed with the data. This would make it possible for individual data to be returned to the customer, while other data could be transmitted, for example, to the machine manufacturer.

[0031] Preferably, the data transmission device is suitable and intended for the temporary transmission of data. In another preferred method, the data is transmitted from the data collection device to the data acquisition device via the Internet. Particularly preferably, the data is transmitted via a secure connection, for example, a so-called VPN connection. Furthermore, it is also possible for the data transmission device to be a component of the data collection device.

[0032] The individual work units or machines are preferably connected via an internal network. This network preferably only records those work units or machines that are located at a specific location. The data collection device or connect box is located at this location and is preferably connected to the machines via this network. The connect box preferably processes the data from the individual work units and decides how to proceed with it. Several connect boxes can be connected to a central unit of the aforementioned data collection device via a data line and, in particular, a temporary VPN tunnel. These data collection devices preferably only communicate with the central unit when necessary, i.e., controlled communication is preferably carried out.

[0033] The central unit or data collection facility then decides how to handle the information from these data collection facilities.

[0034] According to the invention, the data transmission device transmits only a subset of the acquired data. This means that a decision is already made at the level of the data collection device as to which data will be forwarded to the data acquisition device and which will not. However, it would also be possible for the data acquisition device to only release a subset of the data to the machine manufacturer. Furthermore, according to the invention, this subset is configurable by the user. This means that the user can freely decide which data will be released to the machine manufacturer and which will not. It would also be possible for the data transmission device to transmit all data to the data acquisition device, and only at the level of the data acquisition device to decide which data will be transmitted to which recipient.

[0035] In other words, the level of data output is freely configurable. In an extreme case, it would even be possible for no data at all to be released to the machine manufacturer, or in another extreme case, for all data to be released. In this way, the security interests of the plant operators can be taken into account. Preferably, it is therefore configurable to which user or users which data is released. For example, it would be possible for only data indicating serious errors or an impending plant failure to be released to the machine manufacturer, allowing the manufacturer to react quickly from a distance. It would also be possible for the machine manufacturer to be informed of recurring errors during plant operation in order to initiate correct countermeasures or to inform the customer about possible troubleshooting.

[0036] However, it would also be possible for the configuration to change automatically over time. For example, the customer might wish that if certain errors occur, after being informed of a possible solution, these errors are no longer forwarded to the manufacturer, but rather that the customer can correct these errors themselves. The data collection device is preferably a processing unit for which a storage amount, a type of compression and / or a transmission time interval can be set. Rule and alarm management is preferably in place. This means that data entered into the data collection device is preferably grouped differently according to its relevance (for machine or system operation).

[0037] The data collection device is designed to receive data from the individual work units. This data is preferably selected from a group of data that includes raw data, aggregated data, data backups, log files, and error messages. The collection device preferably retrieves this data from the work units using configurable parameters, or this data is transmitted to the data collection device. For example, the time intervals at which the data is retrieved can be set, the data volumes can be configured, and if necessary, it can also be configured whether and how the respective data is modified.

[0038] Furthermore, the data collection facility preferably evaluates the data collected in this way, whereby rule management may also be applied here. This data is preferably stored temporarily and / or locally. Individual rules can trigger alarms. It would also be possible for certain data to be assigned to specific alarms.

[0039] With regard to these alarms, you can decide which recipients they should be forwarded to. It is possible to divide occurring alarms into different alarm levels. For example, the evaluated rules can be divided into different alarms. Depending on the alarm level, different actions are performed on the data.

[0040] The following prioritization can be used, for example: The alarm is forwarded to the data acquisition unit with a first priority. This could, for example, be particularly critical alarm situations requiring direct intervention by the manufacturer. A second priority sends a corresponding alarm to the customer. The customer can respond to this alarm if necessary. Furthermore, alarms at this priority level can also be forwarded to the central acquisition unit based on escalation and time control. This could, for example, be medium-priority alarms.

[0041] In the third or lowest escalation level, an alarm is only processed internally by the customer.

[0042] If the data is to be transmitted to the acquisition unit, a secure connection, such as a VPN tunnel, is preferably established first. This is preferably done by the data collection device and / or the data transmission device. The data collection device can only connect to the acquisition device if such a secure connection exists. In this case, this establishment of the secure data connection can preferably also be controlled by definable parameters, preferably by freely definable parameters. These parameters can be, for example, time intervals, data volumes and file types, as well as compression and the like.

[0043] In another preferred method, the recording device (or possibly also the data collection device) then decides on the further course of action and / or the processing of the incoming data. For example, alarms, tickets, or archiving can be triggered. In another preferred method, the central unit or the recording device receives or sends the data alarms from the collection device.

[0044] In a further preferred method, at least a portion of the data collected by measuring devices is measured data from at least one work unit. This makes it possible for such data to be measured, particularly during ongoing operation. Furthermore, the data can also be long-term data, which can be output, particularly preferably filtered, to the data acquisition device or to the machine manufacturer. In a further preferred method, measuring devices are provided that take measurements, particularly during operation. The long-term data can also be time data.

[0045] In another preferred method, the system is located at a first geographical location, and the data acquisition device is located at a second geographical location that differs from the first geographical location. In this way, the system in question can be remotely maintained or remotely inspected.

[0046] Particularly preferably, a portion of the data is output at the first geographical location, i.e., at the location where the system is located. Preferably, a portion of the data is also output at a second geographical location. For example, it may be possible for alarms to which the user wishes to respond immediately and independently to be output at the first geographical location.

[0047] In a further preferred method, the data is selected from a group of data which includes raw data, aggregated data, data backups, backups, lock files, fault messages, alarms determined from the data and the like.

[0048] In a further preferred method, at least one working unit is selected from a group of working units which includes forming devices for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers, heating devices for heating plastic preforms, sterilizing devices for sterilizing plastic preforms or plastic bottles, filling devices for filling containers, labeling devices for labeling containers, closing devices for closing containers and the like.

[0049] Advantageously, the system is one that processes a specific product, such as plastic bottles, successively. For example, the first system unit or work unit can be a blow molding machine that produces plastic bottles from plastic preforms. This can be followed by a second work unit in the form of a filling machine, which fills the resulting bottles with a liquid, in particular a beverage. This work unit can, in turn, be followed by a closing device or a labeling device and / or a printing device that applies prints to the containers.

[0050] In another preferred method, only certain data are transmitted from the remote data transmission device to the data acquisition device and / or only certain data are further processed by the data acquisition device. Within the scope of this further processing, it can also be decided to which recipient(s) the respective data or information resulting from this data, such as alarms, are forwarded. Furthermore, it is also possible for the remote data transmission device to be a component of the data acquisition device.

[0051] In another preferred method, certain data is output to a user or recipient at the location of the system. For this purpose, the system can have an information output device via which, for example, alarms and the like can be output to the user.

[0052] As mentioned above, the data acquisition or collection facility can decide which data is further processed and how. Data analysis can also be carried out by a manufacturer according to their specifications.

[0053] The present invention is further directed to a device for remotely monitoring a manufacturing plant, and in particular a packaging plant. The plant comprises a plurality of work units and a data collection device to which these work units are at least partially and / or at least temporarily connected for data transmission. The data collection device is suitable and intended for collecting data relevant to the work units. Furthermore, the device comprises a remote data transmission device for wirelessly transmitting data from the data collection device to a data acquisition device.

[0054] According to the invention, different portions of this data can be transmitted to different recipients and a user can at least partially determine which data is transmitted to which recipient.

[0055] Preferably, at least one property and in particular a type and / or a scope of the data to be transmitted can be determined by a user and in particular a user of the data collection device.

[0056] It is therefore also proposed on the device side that a user can select which data is to be further processed and in what way, and in particular, to which recipient(s) this data is to be transmitted. In a further advantageous embodiment, the data acquisition device decides on further processing of the respective data. In a further preferred embodiment, it would also be possible for the data collection device to decide on this data or its further processing.

[0057] In a further advantageous embodiment, the device comprises a data grouping device that assigns incoming data to different data groups at the data collection device. An analysis device is preferably provided that analyzes the incoming data to determine whether these data are based on states of the work units that could cause a specific error in the system. These different data groups can be transmitted to different recipients.

[0058] In a further advantageous embodiment, there is a temporary communication connection between the data collection device and the data acquisition device.

[0059] In a further advantageous embodiment, the device comprises a plurality of measuring devices for measuring characteristic values of the working units. These can be, for example, speed values, pressure values, temperature values, and the like.

[0060] The present invention will now be explained using a concrete example. If malfunctions occur on a machine located at a customer's site (e.g., errors, faults, or other messages), these are preferably stored in a dedicated log file or memory. The data collection device, which—as mentioned above—is located locally in the customer's network, then collects this data (data information) from the machine, which is then evaluated. Current or historical states can also be collected.

[0061] The evaluation then looks for a pattern to increase productivity and preferably to identify related situations.

[0062] It is also possible to follow predefined rules that the customer or user can set up themselves. These rules can determine which data is transmitted to which recipient and / or which data is released to which recipient.

[0063] The rules described above apply to the results of the evaluated data. If a specific rule applies during the evaluation, the appropriate contact person is notified, preferably via alarm management. This could be the machine operator or the machine manufacturer, for example. The contact person can then respond individually to the corresponding message, alarm, etc.

[0064] Preferably, the acquisition device retrieves the evaluated data from the at least one data collection device, and preferably from the plurality of data collection devices, which may also be located at different locations. As mentioned above, this can be done via a VPN tunnel that is temporarily established on only one port. Once the data has been transmitted, the corresponding tunnel can be closed again.

[0065] At the central unit, the data is preferably further processed depending on the evaluation.

[0066] Alarm management can feature a graphical user interface (GUI). This can be designed according to a modular principle. This makes it possible to predefine or add new rules and, preferably, assign and / or activate them to the respective machine or customer using drag-and-drop, for example. Furthermore, existing alarms can be edited or removed. It would also be possible to shift or change the priorities mentioned above for specific alarms. Furthermore, the alarm management described can be used by the manufacturer's employees, whereby a dedicated data management system can be used for this purpose. If new rules are created, it can also be decided to which machine or component these rules apply.

[0067] Further advantages and embodiments can be seen from the attached drawings: Fig. 1 is a representation of a system according to the invention; and Fig. 2 is a representation illustrating alarm generation.

[0068] Figure 1shows a schematic representation of a device 10 according to the invention for remote monitoring of a system 1. This system 1 has three work units 12, 14 and 16, which serve to treat containers. More precisely, the containers are treated successively by work unit 12, then by work unit 14 and finally by work unit 16. For example, work unit 12 can be a blow molding machine that converts plastic preforms into plastic containers 14. This blow molding machine 12 can be followed by a sterilization device that sterilizes the plastic containers. This sterilization unit, in turn, can be followed by a filling device 16. However, the invention is not limited to these specific work units; rather, other work units can also be provided, as mentioned above.Between the individual work units, there are transport units that transport the containers from one work unit to the next. It is also possible for the individual work units 12, 14, and 16 to be synchronized with each other and, for example, operate at constant speeds.

[0069] The reference numeral 20 schematically indicates one or more transport devices which transport the containers.

[0070] Reference numerals 22, 24, and 26 identify measuring devices that record measured values from the individual work units 12, 14, and 16. These measured values are transferred to the data collection device designated 4 via communication links 32, 34, and 36. This data collection device can already decide which of the aforementioned parameters should be further processed and in what manner.

[0071] Reference numeral 6 denotes a data transmission device, which forwards the corresponding data to the data acquisition device 8 via a secure VPN line 38 and the Internet 5. Reference numerals 42 and 44 each denote security mechanisms, such as so-called firewalls. The data acquisition device 8 can also decide which data is handled and how. It is thus possible for some of the data to be returned to a machine operator or for corresponding alarm levels to be triggered. Other data can be forwarded to a machine monitor 18, who can be, for example, an employee of the machine manufacturer.

[0072] Reference numeral 56 denotes a selector input device. Using this selector input device, the user can specify, for example, the criteria according to which data should be transmitted to whom. Fig. 1In the situation shown, the data acquisition device 8 is located at the machine manufacturer's site. The manufacturer can thus specify these specifications. However, it would also be possible for the data acquisition device 8 to be located at the machine itself, for example, integrated into the data collection device. Accordingly, the data selector input device would also be located at the machine's site.

[0073] Reference numeral 52 denotes an information output device belonging to the system 10. Information about error states can be output to the machine operator B via this information output device. A corresponding information output unit 54 can also be located on the manufacturer's side 18.

[0074] The invention proposes that a decision regarding which information is to be treated and how it is to be further processed can be made in the area of the data collection device 4 or the data acquisition device 8. However, such a decision could also be made in both instances, i.e., both in the area of the data collection device and in the area of the data acquisition device 8.

[0075] Figure 2shows a schematic representation to illustrate the method according to the invention. Here, measured values or, in general, values A1, A2, B1, B2 and C1, C2 are transferred from the individual work units (not shown) to the data collection device 4. The values A1 and B2 are correct and no error can be detected. The evaluation of the value B1 shows that an error with a priority 1 is present. The evaluation of the value C1 shows that an alarm with a priority 2 would have to be triggered and the value C2 would lead to an alarm with a priority 3. The user configuration now ensures that the two alarms Priority 2 and Priority 3 are forwarded to the machine operator and the alarm Priority 1 to the machine manufacturer. In addition, the alarm with Priority 2 is also forwarded to the data collection device 8 in an escalation and time-controlled manner.In this way, on the one hand, the machine user's interest in not having to disclose all data can be taken into account, and on the other hand, depending on the escalation level, the alarms can still be forwarded to the machine operator or even to the manufacturer. Storage devices can also be provided in the area of the recording device 8, which, for example, store error states and thus enable processing at a later time if necessary.

[0076] The evaluation of the individual measured or recorded values A1 - C2 described here could also be performed in the data acquisition device 8. This can also ensure that certain alarms or data are not output to the machine manufacturer, but only to the machine user B. The reference symbol R indicates the predeterminable rules on the basis of which the evaluation of the individual measured values takes place.

[0077] The applicant reserves the right to claim all features disclosed in the application documents as essential to the invention, provided that they are novel, individually or in combination, over the prior art. It is further noted that the individual figures also describe features that may be advantageous in and of themselves. The skilled person will immediately recognize that a particular feature described in a figure may be advantageous even without adopting further features from that figure. Furthermore, the skilled person will recognize that advantages may also arise from a combination of several features shown in individual or different figures. List of reference symbols

[0078] A1Value A2Value B Machine operator B1Value B2Value C1Value C2Value R Rule 1 Device / (Packaging) system 4 Data collection device / Network device 5 Internet 6 Data transmission device 8 Data acquisition device 10 System 12 Work unit / Blow molding machine 14 Work unit 16 Work unit / Filling device 18 Machine supervisor / Manufacturer 22 Measuring device 24 Measuring device 26 Measuring device 32 Communication link 34 Communication link 36 Communication link 38 VPN line 42 Security mechanism 44 Security mechanism 52 Information output device 54 Information output device 56 Selector input device

Claims

1. Method for remote monitoring of a packaging plant (1) for the beverage production industry, wherein the plant (1) has a plurality of working units (12, 14, 16), as well as a data collection device (4), to which these working units (12, 14, 16) are connected at least partially and / or at least intermittently for data transmission, wherein the data collection device collects relevant data for the working units (12, 14, 16) and wherein a data transmission device transmits data from the data collection device (4) to a data recording device (8), wherein different amounts of these data are transmitted to different receivers (B, 18) and a user can determine at least partially which data are transmitted to which receiver (B, 18), wherein the data transmission device (6) merely transmits a partial amount of the recorded data, wherein this partial amount can be configured by the user, characterised in that the data are classified or grouped with regard to their relevance or importance for the operation of the plant (1), so that the classification takes place taking account of a malfunction to be expected with regard to these data and thus data which suggest a serious or imminent failure of the plant can be assigned to different group from data which suggest advanced wear of a specific machine element or contamination of the machine element.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterised in that the transmission of the data from the data collection device (4) to the data recording device (8) takes place via the internet (5).

3. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the data collected by the data collection device (4) stored at least temporarily.

4. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one amount of collected data is data from at least one working unit (12, 14, 16) measured by measuring devices (22, 24, 26).

5. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the plant is arranged at a first geographical location and the data recording device (8) is at a second geographical location which is different from the first geographical location.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterised in that an amount of data is output to the first geographical location.

7. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the data are selected from a group of data which contains raw data, aggregated data, data safeguards, backups, logfiles, fault messages, alerts and the like.

8. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one working unit (12, 14, 16) is selected from a group of working units (12, 14, 16) which includes transforming devices for transforming plastic parisons into plastic containers, heating devices for heating plastic parisons, sterilising devices for sterilising plastic parisons or plastic bottles, filling devices for filling containers, labelling devices for labelling containers, printing devices for printing containers, closing devices for closing containers and the like.

9. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that only specific data are transmitted from the data transmission device (6) to the data recording device (8) and / or only specific data are further processed by the data recording device (8).

10. Apparatus for remote monitoring of a packaging plant (1) of the beverage producing industry and comprising said packaging plant (1), wherein the plant (1) has a plurality of working units as well as a data collection device (4), to which these working units (12, 14, 16) are connected at least partially and / or at least intermittently for data transmission, wherein the data collection device (4) is suitable and intended to collect relevant data for the working units (12, 14, 16) and wherein furthermore a data transmission device (6) is provided which is suitable and intended to transmit data from the data collection device (2) to a data recording device (8), wherein different amounts of these data can be transmitted to different receivers (B, 18) and a user can determine at least partially which data are transmitted to which receiver (B, 18), wherein the data transmission device (6) is suitable and intended to merely transmits a partial amount of the recorded data, wherein this partial amount can be configured by the user, characterised in that the data are classified or grouped with regard to their relevance or importance for the operation of the plant (1), so that the classification takes place taking account of a malfunction to be expected with regard to these data and thus data which suggest a serious or imminent failure of the plant can be assigned to different group from data which suggest advanced wear of a specific machine element or contamination of the machine element.